Author Interview ~ S.l. Siwik ~ Winning Back Ryan

Hi Stephaine, first of all Congratulations on your Book Winning Back Ryan I am loving what I have read so far.

Tell us a little about yourself and your book?

S.l. Siwik so me first? Or the book first? The book is far more interesting than me. LOL

Claire Lamb lol you 1st then the book

S.l. Siwik I live in NJ, USA with my two dogs, beta fish, my 5 year old daughter, and my husband. I graduated college to become a teacher, and then became pregnant with my daughter. As a baby, she was very sick, and I wound up being a stay-at-home mom to care for her. I found myself writing at night to help express my feelings. First, I wrote Fan fiction, and then I wrote my first novel, Just Good Friends. A month and a half after completing the Rough Draft of my first novel, the entire story line hit me for Winning Back Ryan. So, I sat back down and began typing. Now that my daughter is older, I work part-time, but my nights are filled with my sexy male characters. Once I received my first email from a fan telling me about how deeply my story touched them and why, I knew that this is what I wanted to do with my life.

Claire Lamb How does it feel to be an Amazon best seller?

S.l. Siwik How does it feel to be an Amazon best seller? There aren't words to describe which I know is funny coming from an author. If you think about what one of your greatest dreams are, and then realize it's starting to be achieved. It makes you feel like you could fly.

Claire Lamb I bet it does it must feel amazing I couldn't begin to imagine

Claire Lamb What inspired you to start writing?

S.l. Siwik My father is a very stoic man. He had always told me that I had an artist's soul, though he had never put it so nicely. When I was in college, I tried writing a novel. It felt good to get my words out onto page. The novel ended up being lost because my laptop got a virus and crashed, but the feeling of expressing myself through written words stayed with me. When my daughter was a baby, I was alone a lot with her, because my husband was working a lot to keep us afloat. It was lonely. So, I returned to writing and breathed characters to life. I think that I was always destined to go down this road one way or another, because I am a revisionist at heart. If I see a movie, play, etc. that I didn't like, I find myself always wondering what else could have happened. And then my imagination goes off, and I’m a million miles away.

Claire Lamb Who is your favourite author?

S.l. Siwik Jane Austen- hands down. What a trailblazer.

Claire Lamb why did you choose to write these types of books?

S.l. Siwik 'These types of books'? Books with controversial topics like assault, rape, or women who struggle for empowerment? Or romance novels?

Claire Lamb Romance novels or if you have something else in the pipeline I am sure your fans will love it just as much although the rest you mentioned are extremely important topics as well.

S.l. Siwik I do have an erotic romance in the works called Office Perks. I do hope fans enjoy it. My beta readers have given it their thumbs up approval. I think many authors have a niche. It's what their good at. I love writing sex scenes. I'm not great at writing fighting or combat scenes, though. As far as romance novels go, I am a hopeless romantic 'emphasis on hopeless', and from what I've learned in life, there are as many different types of love out there as there are people. I love exploring those reading and writing books. I think romance gives people hope, and that is a beautiful, powerful feeling. Rape, assault, women feeling empowered- all are very important topics. I went to a very large college, and I saw a lot of things- some great, some horrible. A lot of my writing is a product of what I've seen.

Claire Lamb I totally understand

Claire Lamb If you had 24 hours with Ryan, what would you do?

S.l. Siwik Wow. 24 hours with Ryan...I think this may be the hardest question I will ever be asked in my entire writing career. Need a moment....

Claire Lamb ha-ha ok take your time

S.l. Siwik I honestly don't know if Ryan could have ever been saved. But, if he could have, it definitely couldn't have been Annie. She just made him far too insecure. Annie stroked his ego and made him feel loved, which is what he desperately wanted. But, he needed to find a way to love himself.  Before the ending of the book, I would have given him a number to a therapist, but after the ending, I would have loved some time alone with him and a baseball bat.

Claire Lamb hehe at least you’re honest

Claire Lamb What Book are you reading at the moment?

S.l. Siwik Nothing currently. I just ordered Emma Chase's Tangled. I know! I know! I’m a million years behind! I've been burning the midnight oil doing edits for Winning Back Ryan's sequel Getting Back Annie. I have 3/4 of the book back from the editor.

Claire Lamb fab which brings me to the next question When will book 2 be out?

S.l. Siwik I am trying for October1st. As much as I'd love to get it out tomorrow to find out what readers think of it, I also want to put out the best book I am capable of making. The book will be another big one. It's over 100k words like WBR was. Office Perks should be out November if there aren't any delays. Sirens and Sweethearts which is a prequel completely done in Ben's POV will hopefully be out in December.

Claire Lamb Describe your book in three words?

S.l. Siwik Friendship, love and empowerment.

Claire Lamb Who was your muse for Ryan if there is one?

S.l. Siwik During college, I was at a fraternity. I leaned against the wall, drinking a beer, waiting for my friend to come. I overheard a conversation between a guy and his girlfriend....it left its mark on me. Years later, I never forgot it.

Claire Lamb oh so the next couple of questions may have relevance then

Claire Lamb Does Ryan remind you of anyone in your life?

S.l. Siwik Yes. He is the embodiment of the guy at the party I overheard, one my friend's ex-boyfriends, and a guy that I briefly dated in the past. But, he does not remind me of anyone currently in my life. You have to give people like that a heave-ho out the door.

Claire Lamb so in your book can you relate to any of the circumstances the characters go through i.e. Are there any of your own experiences or total fiction?

S.l. Siwik My characters are based off of personality traits from real people that I've met throughout my life- some from column A, some from column B. As far as relating, I can relate to all of it in some way or another. For example, I've had male friends who I thought of platonically, tell me that they had feelings for me. It was a very strange and awkward moment, because I had friend zoned them for so long. I had to really figure out my feelings before giving an answer.

Claire Lamb Does your family support you with your writing?

S.l. Siwik My daughter is too young to understand what's going on. My husband is fairly supportive, until the house looks like a tornado because the muse hit me. My parents are a little less supportive. They think any form of art shouldn't be someone's job.

Claire Lamb as my Grandma always says you live life with what you love, and a house that contains kids wouldn't be a home unless its messy lol very wise woman

S.l. Siwik I agree totally with your grandma. My husband does say all the time that he believes wholeheartedly that I will be a continuously chart topping bestselling author, because he said people who have as much passion as I do for writing always become successful. If I could, I'd live and breathe it. There aren't enough hours in the day to get all the stories down.

Claire Lamb What is your least favourite part in the writing progress?

S.l. Siwik My least favourite HANDS DOWN...is editing. Self-doubt is destructive. When writing your story, you think you're a genius. When you edit a story, you think you're the biggest moron that ever existed.

Claire Lamb Who does your cover art?

S.l. Siwik For Winning Back Ryan, I found an independent computer graphics designer that made the cover- I don't know if he'd like his real name given out, so I will say that his business name is Humblenations. For the sequel, again it was another indie designer fresh out of college. I have not yet, like other authors, used a professional photographer. The Office Perks cover is Humblenations again.

Claire Lamb E reader or Paperback?

S.l. Siwik I mostly read paperback. I have a Kindle app on my smartphone, but it does kill the battery. I have not bought a Kindle ereader yet. The one clicking will wreak havoc on my credit cards.

Claire Lamb ha-ha it does on mine I am a 1 click ho

Claire Lamb If you could pick another author to co-write with whom would it be and why?

S.l. Siwik Oh man....

S.l. Siwik Either SC Stephens because Kellan Kyle is outrageous. Or Jamie McGuire because Travis.... Or Christina Lauren (I know its two women) because their wittiness is amazing. When I say Kellan Kyle is outrageous, I mean in 'the panty dropping, where the hell have you been all my life' kind of way.

Claire Lamb mmmm Kellan Kyle and the Beautiful one (I won’t swear lol) swoooooon.

Claire Lamb Do you do anything when writing? (aka listen to music, sit on floor ect)?

S.l. Siwik I listen to music. I pick a song that's emotion when I hear it resembles closely the emotion I'm trying to evoke in the scene. Other than that, either on my laptop or on my computer. Wherever I can find a few minutes of peace and quiet.

Claire Lamb If you wrote a book about your life....what name would you call yourself and what 3 words would you use to describe your personality?

S.l. Siwik What name as in what character name? I've always loved the name Victoria. 3 words for my personality: scatter brained, spontaneous, and truthful.

Claire Lamb Ok easy one top five book boyfriends?

S.l. Siwik Kellan, Travis, Ryan, Max, Rule.

Claire Lamb Has there been a review that has stood out the most for you?

S.l. Siwik For Winning Back Ryan? Yes.

Claire Lamb yes, tell us about it.

S.l. Siwik I laughed so hard that Diet Coke came out my nose.

Claire Lamb ok so now you have to tell us what was said lol.

S.l. Siwik I'm sorry that I did not get a chance to speak to her about the review first, but it is from the lovely lady at Momma's Reading Break. The review was this:

 WOW! This book is absolutely a hot mess of awesome. This book has a little bit of everything for any type of reader. I absolutely loved it. I swear, if only the author had somehow added a zombie in a cowboy hat, I would have hit every check mark in my list of awesome additions for a story line.

Annie is an amazing lead. She's fabulously developed and has the most stunning character growth. Near the start of the book, I really wanted to slap her around. She seemed so weak, whining and pining over a complete jerk of a man that openly was cheating on her. Through her own path of empowerment, she turns herself into a complete ball busting, firecracker of a woman. I loved it!

Annie's friends are amazing! I'm so jealous! I could only dream of having some of these amazing men as friends. Brian and Ben are both worthy adversaries for her heart, but I have to admit, I was team Brian the entire way. Max! Oy! I loved him. He was such a great friend for Annie, being there when she couldn't go to Brian. Not to mention, every girl needs a gay friend.

This book is definitely on my top list of books for this year. Check it out!

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book for honest review.

I'm figuring out ways on how to incorporate a zombie in a cowboy hat for the next book.

Claire Lamb wow zombies in cowboy hats I love it ha-ha

Claire Lamb Which book - by another author - are you looking forward to the most?

S.l. Siwik I heard, though I may be wrong, that Travis' brother is getting his own book. I'm interested in that. And I know Christina Lauren has a mess of books coming out that I'm excited about. I love romances with humour, because I know just how difficult it is to write. It is the equivalent of a comedian standing in an empty room, telling jokes. There is no one to gauge a reaction on.

Claire Lamb I agree humour is a must for me too.

Claire Lamb Is there any traditions you do after finishing a book?

S.l. Siwik Eat a chocolate bar alone in a dark room. LOL I have no idea why.

Claire Lamb mmmmm chocolate.

S.l. Siwik I'm a total chocoholic.

Claire Lamb Okay now for some fun questions if you’re up for it?

S.l. Siwik I'm up for anything. Hit me with them!

Claire Lamb Do you prefer Vanilla or Kinkery Fuckery lol?

S.l. Siwik kinkery fuckery

Claire Lamb Favourite Takeout food?

S.l. Siwik Dumplings That's what they are called here. Other people call them pot stickers.

Claire Lamb Light on or light off?

S.l. Siwik Light off.

Claire Lamb Night or Day?

S.l. Siwik Night.

Claire Lamb Toy’s or no toy’s?

S.l. Siwik Toys

Claire Lamb Lace or Silk?

S.l. Siwik Silk.

Claire Lamb In or out?

S.l. Siwik Out.

Claire Lamb Do you make your bed in the morning?

S.l. Siwik Not usually.

Claire Lamb neither do I lol

S.l. Siwik I try really hard to keep the house pretty clean with my daughter and the dogs. So, I let my room be as messy as I want. It's like my one act of rebelliousness. LOL

Claire Lamb Stephaine you have been amazing and very patient with me, I have enjoyed every moment of this interview and again Congratulations on your fabulous book Winning Back Ryan. I would also like to Thank Kim, Lou and Gillian for the questions and an extra thanks to Kim Fictionalmenspage Forbookho's for giving me the opportunity to interview you. Thank you so much xx 

Claire Lamb Is there anything you would like to say to your fans before you go?

S.l. Siwik Thank you so much for the opportunity. I had a blast! I'd love to do this again! To my fans: Thank you for the support. Thank you for every purchase, every woman who has pimped my book. Thank you for the incredible emails. I cry while reading many of them. Thank you for the reviews. You'll have to decide before Getting Back Annie comes out, though....Are you Team Brian or Team Ben? Thank you for fitting me in.

Claire Lamb lol your welcome it's been a pleasure and I am sure we will catch up when Getting back Annie is released. Thank you again and enjoy the rest of your evening x

S.l. Siwik You should also give yourself a big hug for me, Claire Lamb. It is women like you who make women like me's dreams come true. We authors are nothing without readers.

Claire Lamb aw Thank you what can I say I am a kinky book ho lol x

Sypnosis:

After a horrible day at work, I came home to find my boyfriend...in a curious position. After determining why he was unhappy, I, Anne Watson, decided to try and fix our broken relationship. My four closest male friends, however, had another idea. Revenge. 

**Content Warning: This book contains a sexual assault scene and mature material. **